Sport: Longhorns of Plenty

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To whip up that enthusiasm, Akers stresses "positive attitude" and "personal accountability," and went so far as to import a hypnotherapist from Seattle to instruct the Longhorns in "deep relaxation and positive suggestion which eliminates the negative." Says Akers: "The players are committed. You don't come to Texas unless you're a competitor and committed. Mental concentration, though, is harder than physical preparation." As his players looked on first with awe, then growing respect, Akers and his assistants put in grueling 14-hour days. Their dedication proved contagious. Says Interested Observer Royal: "He is willing to pay the price in long hours, elbow grease and getting out of the shade."

Leading the Longhorn attack is Fullback Earl Campbell, who plows through the line as if he were walking through a turnstile, gained 1,522 yards in the first ten games, and is a strong candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. To take advantage of Campbell's brute (6 ft. 1 in., 220 lb.) strength and the sizzling speed of Wide Receiver Johnny ("Lam") Jones—a 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 400-meter relay and, according to Akers, "the fastest football player in the world"—the new coach substituted a big-play, I-formation offense for the Royal Wishbone. When the offense bogs down, there is the estimable leg of Kicker Russell Erxleben to put three points on the scoreboard. Erxleben set an N.C.A.A. field-goal record early this season with a 67-yarder, and routinely kicks true from 50 yards away.

Another Akers innovation is a swarming, stunting defense that, despite seven sophomore starters, has shut out three opponents and given up just one touchdown to the run in ten games. That defense was very much in evidence last weekend as Texas—and Campbell—rolled past overmatched Baylor, 29-7, thus setting up the Southwest Conference title showdown with Texas A. & M. on Saturday.

The city of Austin may not be able to survive another Texas win. No. 1 has been scrawled on every exposed surface in town, and post-victory celebrations reach near anarchy. For the extra police necessary to cope with the delirious fans, Austin's city fathers have had to shell out $7,500 in overtime pay every Saturday night. Still, no one is complaining. Indeed, when members of the university band strike up The Eyes of Texas Are upon You before the opening kickoff, they are not just tooting their horns.